4 Questions Job Seekers Should Ask In Every Interview

These questions will help
you figure out if this is the right job for
you.David
Wall/flickr

Job interviews are a two-way street. You should be sizing up the
employer just as much as they're evaluating you. And the best way
to do this is by asking questions — the rightquestions.

"If you get to the end of an interview and almost all the
questions have been asked by the person at the other end of the
table, then quite frankly it is highly unlikely you will get the
job," says serial entrepreneur James Caan in a
recent LinkedIn post. "Not only does it make you seem
unconfident, but it gives the impression that you're not actually
that committed to getting the job."

If you're genuinely interested in the role, you'd want to find
out as much about the employer as possible — "in particular,
things which you can't glean from a mere job advert," he
says.

Here are four questions you should be asking in every single job
interview, according to Caan:

1. What are your short, medium, and long-term
goals?

Caan says he's always impressed when job candidates ask this
question because it shows they're interested in the vision of the
business. "I have said before that companies don't hire people
who are merely looking for a job — they hire people who want to
work for them." And this question, he says, shows that.

He suggests askingthe interviewer where they see
the business heading over the next year, and what their specific
goals are for you and your department, should you be hired. "It
won't only make a great impression on the company, but it can
also give you a clearer picture of what they'll expect from
you."

2. What's the culture like?

"A job is not just a series of tasks; it is also the place where
you will be spending a substantial amount of your time," Caan
explains. "Therefore you need to ask the interviewer what the
company culture is like, because it should match up with what you
want."

For example, you can inquire about how much employees interact
with one another, or which managerial style your would-be boss
employs.

"Asking about the culture shows that you have a high attention to
detail — and that's something which goes down extremely well with
any hiring manager," he says.

3. What are the opportunities for progression?

After you discuss where you see yourself in five years (a common
interview discussion topic), find out whether this company would
be able to support your goals and offer opportunities for
progression.

"Remember — this doesn't mean they need to offer you
exactly what you want in five years," Caan says. But they should
be able to offer you support and encouragement as you expand your
skill set and climb the corporate ladder.

"A good company will not be put off by your ambition; in fact
they will admire and encourage it," he says.

4. How will I be measured?

The hiring manager may not go into detail about the company's key
performance indicators, Caan says. But they should be able to
give you a broad idea. "You should walk out of that room knowing
what you have to do to hit your targets and add value to the
business."